Crate digging and interesting obscurities
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Printed Date: 19 Apr 2024 at 11:15am
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Topic: Crate digging and interesting obscurities
Posted By: js
Subject: Crate digging and interesting obscurities
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 2:49am
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70s psychedelic fusion and free jazz from behind the iron curtain with Leszek Zadlo and his album, "Inner Silence". http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/leszek-zadlo/the-leszek-zad%C5%82o-ensemble-inner-silence" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/leszek-zadlo/the-leszek-zad%C5%82o-ensemble-inner-silence  |
Replies:
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2017 at 5:46pm
Friends was a short lived band that included John Abercrombie on guitar. What we have here is insanely over the top fusion/post bop free form jams with gratuitous post production add on cheezy psychedelic pixie dust. This is an Abercrombie you may not have heard before. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 7:02pm
The days when David Axelrod was a crate digger's secret passed long ago, but in case you missed out on the Axelrod sampling craze, "Song of Innocence" is still a favorite. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 7:10pm
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The 'jazziest' Axelrod album is probably "Seriously Deep". Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RN1-vpIQvw&list=OLAK5uy_kD1y9TEpuANdIbyVYwPettOOBnIaX7MZY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RN1-vpIQvw&list=OLAK5uy_kD1y9TEpuANdIbyVYwPettOOBnIaX7MZY  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 7:32pm
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Late 60s/early 70s analog synthesizer renditions of pop songs are a well known staple to the serious, or frivolous, 'crate digger'. In a genre where kitsch weirdness is a given, possibly the weirdest of all is "Electronic Evolution" by Richard Hayman and Walter Sear. On this vinyl mishap masterpiece, cheezy avant-garde electronics, fuzzed out psychedelic guitar, hyper soul-jazz riffs on the B3, and scrambled JB beats join together to spell out the pop hits of the day. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4l6x9YO_oQ&t=29s" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4l6x9YO_oQ&t=29s  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 11 Dec 2017 at 8:38pm
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Buddy Terry is a saxophonist who deserves much wider recognition. After cutting a few albums as a leader early in his career, he spent the rest of his career as a sideman in prestigious big bands such as the Duke Ellington alumni band and the Saturday Night Live band. Unfortunately, he never recorded as a leader again. Possibly his best album was the aptly titled "Pure Dynamite", a smokin hot slab of vinyl that featured future members of Return to Forever, plus members of Herbie's Sextet as well as Woody Shaw, Joanne Brackeen and more. The music is an energetic blend of fusion, post bop and free jazz. Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/buddy-terry/pure-dynamite" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/buddy-terry/pure-dynamite  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2017 at 7:29am
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JazzWise magazine recently ran a feature on this album, so in the spirit of uninspired monkey see monkey doism, we shall blindly follow suit. "Free Love" was the only album by Italian fusion group Kaleidon. On this rare hunk of vinyl we hear early 70s psychedelic fusion along the lines of Soft Machine, 70s Miles Davis and the first Weather Report album. After the demise of this group, keyboardist Stefano Sabatini went on to release several more albums, most of them in a post bop style.  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2018 at 7:14pm
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Oliver Lake "NTU: Point from which Creation Begins". Although this record did not come out until 1976, after Lake proved that he was at least a somewhat commercial commodity, it was recorded much sooner than that in the early 70s. One listen to its wild and woolly meanderings will quickly tell you that this is no mid 70s disc. Lake put out some great music over the years, but he never returned to this African hippiefied 'spiritual' jazz style again. The little known Richard Martin stars on guitar. Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/oliver-lake/ntu-point-from-which-creation-begins" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/oliver-lake/ntu-point-from-which-creation-begins  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2018 at 10:52am
Lavice & Company was a theater group in the 70s that released one record that featured the music to their play, "Two Sisters from Bagdad". This is an extremely rare record that has been given a second life via the re-issue format. The music is like a Sun Ra approach to gospel, funk and various theatrical oddities. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 17 Feb 2018 at 11:52am
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Jackie Shane never made it to the big time, not because of a lack of talent, but probably because she was fearlessly transgender in a time when this was practically dangerous. Most of her hits were on small local labels, but recently many of those hits have been collected on this compilation. Anyone familiar with small label RnB will know what to expect here, raw recordings and high energy performances.
https://jackieshane.bandcamp.com/album/jackie-shane-any-other-way" rel="nofollow - http://jackieshane.bandcamp.com/album/jackie-shane-any-other-way  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2018 at 7:38pm
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This isn't exactly crate digging, but its similar. Willie Walker cut RnB singles in Memphis back in the 60s, I'm sure those records are super rare now. It seems there was at least about a thirty year gap before Walker started recording again in the new century. His current album, provided below, sounds like a crate diggers dream from the 60s, fortunately Walker has not changed a bit over the years. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3cJQ79ZWM0&list=OLAK5uy_l_znzMCqcdnV82Qet1tFyjMSgF5sq5eAQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3cJQ79ZWM0&list=OLAK5uy_l_znzMCqcdnV82Qet1tFyjMSgF5sq5eAQ  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2018 at 5:19pm
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Somewhat along the same lines of Willie Walker, Sherman Holmes plays a style of music that will no longer exist with his eventual passing. Holmes plays country soul music that was once common in small juke joints in the rural US south, but has since been swallowed up by mindlessly hip urbanization and the ensuing digital ice age. This music is what Van Morrison, Ry Cooder, The Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones wish they sounded like.  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2018 at 5:37pm
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A simply amazing compilation pulled from many sources that features various Sun Ra configurations performing the music of George Gershwin. The music varies from creative doo-wop versions of Gershwin pop songs to a full arkestra avant-garde version of "Rhapsody in Blue". Some tracks are poorly recorded, but every track is a gem. https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/sun-ra-plays-gershwin" rel="nofollow - http://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/sun-ra-plays-gershwin  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 06 Mar 2018 at 6:46pm
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Psychedelic soul/rock/RnB from the late 60s and early 70s is often considered an impossible to find holy grail for crate diggers. Black Merda's first album is one such impossible find. Black Merda disbanded in the early 70s, but a re-issue compilation in 2005 brought renewed interest in the band and they even got back together and cut a couple more albums. Here is their first album of psychedelic blues, rock and RnB that carries some resemblance to Jimi Hendrix, the first Funkadelic album and the Chambers Brothers.  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2018 at 7:34pm
SJOB Movement plays a mix of psychedelic rock and African fusion. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 7:25pm
Likewise, Batsumi also combines African fusion with psychedelic rock. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 11 Apr 2018 at 8:56pm
Once again blatantly stealing a riff from Jazzwise magazine, a few months ago they ran a feature on Clifford Thornton's "The Gardens of Harlem". This forgotten gem features the all-star Jazz Composers Orchestra cutting loose on lengthy jams based around 'tunes from West Africa, Cuba and Jamaica'. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 6:47pm
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An avid crate digger himself, Adrian Younge's music is drenched in the sounds of 60s and 70s psychedelic soul and thrift store exotica. https://linearlabs.bandcamp.com/album/something-about-april-ii" rel="nofollow - http://linearlabs.bandcamp.com/album/something-about-april-ii  In an example of a live crate digging exhumation, Younge resurrected the career of William Hart from the popular 70s band, the Delfonics, to get that classic soul sound. Despite being in his 70s, Hart still sounds great. https://adrianyounge.bandcamp.com/album/adrian-younge-presents-the-delfonics" rel="nofollow - http://adrianyounge.bandcamp.com/album/adrian-younge-presents-the-delfonics  In this video, Adrian Younge discusses his ongoing search for unique vinyl, as well as his record store where he sells some of his finds to the public.
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Posted By: js
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2018 at 7:57pm
In a vein somewhat similar to Adrian Younge, the new Soulive EP is packaged to look like a 60s thrift store find, the cover even has typical wear markings. The music, likewise, is similar to a 60s exotica soundtrack. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 12 May 2018 at 8:57am
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Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/norman-connors/dance-of-magic" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/norman-connors/dance-of-magic  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 24 May 2018 at 9:18am
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During an era when strange records were abundant due to free jazz musicians discovering LSD, Khan Jamal's "Drum Dance to the Motherland" stands out as one of the strangest. Here we have a free fusion jam subjected to constant dub echo excursions that sound like a cross between King Tubby, Sun Ra and Syd Barret's Pink Floyd. This once super rare oddity has been re-issued on vinyl complete with the original album artwork and everything. https://eremiterecords.bandcamp.com/album/drum-dance-to-the-motherland" rel="nofollow - http://eremiterecords.bandcamp.com/album/drum-dance-to-the-motherland   |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 12 Jul 2018 at 6:49pm
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Lyman Woodard was a keyboardist and arranger who worked for Motown as well as many top notch RnB musicians. His first solo album "Saturday Night Special" is a crate digger's dream. The album opens with orchestrated psychedelic RnB, but as things progress Lyman gets into some fairly heated fusion jams with plenty of hot Hammond B3 playing. The orchestrated parts can recall David Axelrod and Isaac Hayes, while the B3 led psychedelic jazz rock bears some resemblance to early Brian Auger. The late night sound to the production recalls another crate digger gem, Cymande's self-titled album.  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2018 at 8:40am
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The albums of William S Fischer are absolute diamond mines for crate diggers and those who seek the truly unique. His first album, "Circles" (1970), has to be heard to be believed. On this one we get plenty of experimental electronics, psychedelic RnB, fantastical prog rock arrangements and other hard to describe excursions. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjx6gHXv8d4&list=OLAK5uy_lwgGX6TlN6Zc-LwXssmY8KP5zJubUQL4s" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjx6gHXv8d4&list=OLAK5uy_lwgGX6TlN6Zc-LwXssmY8KP5zJubUQL4s 
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Posted By: js
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2018 at 9:03am
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Fischer's follow up, 1972's "Akelarre Sorta", was less experimental and focused more on exquisite RnB/jazz grooves. https://soundcloud.com/dj-el-topo-1/akelarre-sorta-william-s-fischer" rel="nofollow - http://soundcloud.com/dj-el-topo-1/akelarre-sorta-william-s-fischer 
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Posted By: js
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2018 at 5:49pm
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Getting away from the crate digging for a moment and taking a look at a current artist. Those who miss the exotic big band sounds of David Axelrod, Lalo Schifrin, Quincy Jones and Don Ellis may want to check out current arranger Fred Pallem. His music is pleasingly kitsch without going overboard into corny silliness. https://fredpallemlesacredutympan.bandcamp.com/album/lodyssee" rel="nofollow - https://fredpallemlesacredutympan.bandcamp.com/album/lodyssee  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2018 at 8:37pm
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Another one on the current tip is Sonido Gallo Negro, who draw upon the legendary psychedelic Peruvian cumbia sound and add other Latin influences as well as bits of surf guitar and spy movie soundtracks. Solid musicianship throughout with a strong knowledge of all manner of Latin rhythms. https://sonido-gallo-negro.bandcamp.com/album/mambo-c-smico" rel="nofollow - https://sonido-gallo-negro.bandcamp.com/album/mambo-c-smico 
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Posted By: js
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2018 at 7:09pm
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Getting back to the real crate digging, "Overdrive Rock Jazz Party" is much better than its rather cheezy title would imply. What we get from this short lived early 70s German trio (The Bridge) is plenty of hot funk jazz with a spacious reverb sound plus some exotic extras too. The keyboard player is Kristian Schultze, who some may remember from his work with Passport. Expect plenty of wah wah Fender Rhodes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjBhvF3hXwk&t=2s" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjBhvF3hXwk&t=2s 
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Posted By: js
Date Posted: 19 Jan 2019 at 6:42pm
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The Lightmen were a top notch RnB, Afro-Latin fusion, free-jazz band out of Houston Texas in the early 70s. Their debut album mixed avant-garde fusion with Afro-Latin grooves and deserved much wider recognition that it received at the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFTsI1EG4Ko&list=PLy_11AYvbwG5UfBACqBjcJbe8QQxNBC0_&index=6" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFTsI1EG4Ko&list=PLy_11AYvbwG5UfBACqBjcJbe8QQxNBC0_&index=6  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 8:43pm
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"Crystal Spears" was recorded by Sun Ra in the early 70s, but not released until now. Of all the old Sun Ra music that is being dredged up these days, this one is better than most of the poorly recorded mess that is recently being pushed on the public. Like a lot of his music during this time period, this album does not sound like any of his other albums. Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/sun-ra/crystal-spears" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/sun-ra/crystal-spears Listen: https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/crystal-spears-remastered" rel="nofollow - https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/crystal-spears-remastered  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2019 at 5:51pm
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Although most of this thread will deal with jazz, RnB and exotica, we're going to look at a rock band that many have forgotten. Death was a group of young African Americans in Detroit who were playing punk rock in the mid-70s before punk caught on in London and NYC. Influenced by fellow Detroit proto punkers like Iggy Pop and the MC5, as well as fellow Detroit black rockers, Funkadelic, Death was way ahead of their time, yet you rarely hear about them.  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2019 at 7:07pm
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One of the most intense rock/RnB bands of all time featured early 60s garage rock guitar thrasher Link Wray with the way over the top vocals of David Walker from the gospel group The Mighty Clouds of Joy. David had to change his name to Bunker Hill so he would not get kicked out of the gospel group for recording secular music, but he got caught anyway. Later, all was forgiven and he was re-instated into the Mighty Clouds group. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 26 May 2019 at 5:08pm
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There are a lot of archival Sun Ra recordings coming out these days, some better than others. This recording from a bar in Minnesota in 1978 is one of the better ones. On here we get Sunny playing solo on acoustic piano and on a Crumar synthesizr, probably an Orchestrator or something similar. I own one of these old synths myself and I recognize the sounds. Crumar was an Italian keyboard company that made lower cost versions of popular models by Moog, ARP, Hammond and others. They were often great keyboards in their own right and had unique features that their more expensive counterparts might not have. The Orchestrator was similar to an ARP Solina, but it also had electric piano too, and some incredibly deep bass notes that Sunny makes good use of. The Orchestrator also allowed you to mix up the different pre-set sounds, which is a feature that Ra also makes good use of. The music on here is a mixture of Sun Ra's stride piano roots, re-visits to some classic original material, and free improvisations in a variety of styles. The recording quality is surprisingly good for a portable cassette recorder https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/solo-keyboards-minnesota-1978" rel="nofollow - https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/solo-keyboards-minnesota-1978  |
Posted By: boredop
Date Posted: 26 May 2019 at 11:00pm
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Replying to the post about Death - they reunited a few years ago (with a new guitarist replacing the original guitarist, who died some years back), recorded a new album and have been touring ever since. I actually saw them play in New York last month. They're still sounding great. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 26 May 2019 at 11:35pm
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boredop wrote:Posted By: js
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2019 at 1:42am
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After Bootsy and Catfish Collins left James Brown, they led their own groups with names like The House Guests and Complete Strangers. Shake It records has recently put many of these tracks together and released them on one record. On these numbers, Bootsy and his crew often imitate James, but with a more substance fueled abandon and chaotic creativity. Other tracks show the influence of punky fellow urban mid-westerners like Funkadelic, MC5, Death and Iggy Pop. On some jams, the Collins Brothers sound like a funky version of The Velvet Underground. All of this quickly led to the Collins brothers being invited to join Funkadelic as their new rhythm section. Many of these same musicians would also go on to be Bootsy's Rubber Band.  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2019 at 1:07am
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The Sounds of Liberation was a short lived group out of Philadelphia in the early 70s that mixed psychedelic RnB and rock with free jazz in a very African spiritual setting. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_szq8vXrQfs&list=PLK7fR841EuXH1oUckF6n5sJGGI8E2iCtn" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_szq8vXrQfs&list=PLK7fR841EuXH1oUckF6n5sJGGI8E2iCtn  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 06 Feb 2020 at 9:13pm
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Cochemea Gastelum is a Native American from California who is known for his saxophone work with the Dap-Kings. His 2010 debut, "The Electric Sound of Johnny Arrow", is not a soundtrack, but it sounds like one. Here we have orchestrated trip-hop, Latin rock, soul jazz and 50s instrumentals that all flow together perfectly. Imagine a cross between Sly 5th Ave, Eddie Harris, Santana and Quincy Jones and you might get an idea of how appealing these little rhythmic nuggets are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b17FLzrodNw&list=OLAK5uy_lZf343xZ5CjbCDyNitg8aogffrHIPQbFg" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b17FLzrodNw&list=OLAK5uy_lZf343xZ5CjbCDyNitg8aogffrHIPQbFg  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2020 at 8:37pm
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Big Jay McNeely is hardly obscure, in fact he was very popular in his day, but its his pop hits that live on and not his more off-the-wall material. Listen to these tracks to get an idea of how much rock-n-roll became sanitized over the years. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2020 at 8:49pm
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Much of this thread has dealt with early 70s psychedelic funk and soul and Del Jones' one and only album fits in with that vibe. Originally the album was titled "Court is Closed", but a second version added horns to the mix and was called "Positive Vibes" |
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 15 Apr 2020 at 10:15pm
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Awesome! ------------- We are men of action. Lies do not become us. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews... |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2020 at 10:16pm
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Sly5thAve (Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka) is another current artist influenced by the sounds of thrift store exotica. Although an orchestral tribute to Dr Dre may not seem like a great idea at first, Sly really makes this one work with his mix of hip-hop beats and cool retro orchestrations that recall Isaac Hayes and David Axelrod. Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/sly5thave/the-invisible-man-an-orchestral-tribute-to-dr-dre" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/sly5thave/the-invisible-man-an-orchestral-tribute-to-dr-dre
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Posted By: js
Date Posted: 04 May 2020 at 8:38pm
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For those interested in Herbie Hancock's Sextet and its many spin-off groups, here is one more associated album that is often overlooked and forgotten, Pete Yellin's "Dance of Allegra". Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/pete-yellin/dance-of-allegra" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/pete-yellin/dance-of-allegra Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76KydKDK96w&t=5s" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76KydKDK96w&t=5s  |
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 05 May 2020 at 12:52am
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Awesome, will definitely check this out :) ------------- We are men of action. Lies do not become us. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews... |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 20 Jun 2020 at 12:58pm
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Osibisa "Super Fly T.N.T." (OST) The soundtrack to the first "Superfly" movie by Curtis Mayfield was a critical success and is still considered one of the top OSTs of all time. The soundtrack to the second movie, by Osibissa, is just as good if not better, yet it slipped by barely noticed at all. The reason for this was that the movie itself was a flop, so the soundtrack faded into obscurity. This OST deserves a second chance, here we find a dynamic and creative mix of African fusion, 70s prog rock and jazz with all sorts of psychedelic and exotic fairy dust sprinkled on top. Most Osibissa albums are great, but this one may be their best. Review:
http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/osibisa/super-fly-tnt-ost" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/osibisa/super-fly-tnt-ost Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teZWiyih9aA&list=PLy2DyabawL8gCXdLu7i1DUPqSYqACcRzs" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teZWiyih9aA&list=PLy2DyabawL8gCXdLu7i1DUPqSYqACcRzs  |
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2020 at 3:35am
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Added to my list to check out, sounds great! ------------- We are men of action. Lies do not become us. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews... |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2020 at 5:19pm
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Its hard to get much information on saxophonist Charles Williams, who also went by C.I. Williams. He recorded three albums as a leader in the early 70s, plus one more in 2007, and also worked as a sideman on a few albums while working as a music teacher in Queens. The fact that he did not get a chance to record more often is a crime because this guy can play. His favored ax is the alto on which he displays influences from Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderly, Stanley Turrentine and Eddie Harris. "Stickball" is his third and final album from the 70s, and it is a somewhat commercial affair as many of the tracks are covers of the soul hits of the day, but its the way that Charles arranges and plays these songs that make this a great album. There is some excellent backing on here from Cornell Dupree on guitar and Don Pullen on organ, plus many other performers as well. Ernie Wilkins provides excellent orchestral arrangements on some tracks.  |
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2020 at 8:03pm
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I still have to hear those other albums, but I found the same thing when trying to search for extra info. ------------- We are men of action. Lies do not become us. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews... |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2020 at 8:20pm
| That album in 2007 only happened because Hamie Bluiett pushed the record label. Williams is just another mega talent who didn't get recorded as often as he should have. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2020 at 8:34am
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Calibro 35 is a long running Italian group that recreates classic Italian soundtracks, and also composes original music in that style. Early albums leaned towards Farfisa organs and surf guitar, but later album go more in a funk jazz direction. One of their best recent albums is "Decade", which features a small orchestra. This one is recommended for fans of David Axelrod and Isaac Hayes: Listen: https://calibro35rk.bandcamp.com/album/decade" rel="nofollow - https://calibro35rk.bandcamp.com/album/decade  Also recommended is "S.P.A.C.E.", on which the band goes more psychedelic recalling the first couple Funkadelic albums, or the Bar Kays work with Hayes on the soundtrack to "Shaft". Listen: https://calibro35rk.bandcamp.com/album/s-p-a-c-e" rel="nofollow - https://calibro35rk.bandcamp.com/album/s-p-a-c-e  "Live from Space" is a live version of the above album: Listen: https://calibro35rk.bandcamp.com/album/clbr35-live-from-s-p-a-c-e" rel="nofollow - https://calibro35rk.bandcamp.com/album/clbr35-live-from-s-p-a-c-e  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2020 at 9:38pm
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Although well known in Mexico, Tino Contreras is much less recognized in jazz oriented markets in the US and Europe. The recent re-release of his 2011 compilation, "El Jazz Mexicano de Tino Contreras", may change that as it has been getting decent promotion from western jazz publications. The original albums that feature the tracks on this comp are not always easy to find, so we can consider ourselves lucky that this artist is getting a another go round. Tino's music is very eclectic, but it often uses hot Afro-Cuban jazz as a starting point. From there Tino may mix in some psychedelia, exotica, classical choir vocals, gritty urban hard bop, odd-metered modern jazz and much more. Although there is some appealing kitsch to his music at times, this element never takes away from the fact that Tino and his crew are always playing top notch highly rhythmic jazz music.
Listen: https://jazzmanalbums.bandcamp.com/album/el-jazz-mexicano-de-tino-contreras" rel="nofollow - https://jazzmanalbums.bandcamp.com/album/el-jazz-mexicano-de-tino-contreras  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2020 at 11:19am
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Eddie Harris' "is It In" is known to some collectors of funk/RnB exotica and early electronica, but in case you haven't checked this one out yet, you can read an analytical review and listen to the album by clicking the links below. Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/eddie-harris/is-it-in" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/eddie-harris/is-it-in Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6HopjaOr1E&list=OLAK5uy_nuJ7HKabyxX-wlXZDoMNNBFa4G0WVDnQ0" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6HopjaOr1E&list=OLAK5uy_nuJ7HKabyxX-wlXZDoMNNBFa4G0WVDnQ0  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 08 Nov 2020 at 8:35pm
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Claudia Lennear was a powerhouse female vocalist who sang backup for Ike and Tina Turner, and later Leon Russell, Humble Pie, Joe Cocker and others. Much like the artists she worked with, Claudia could get funky, but she could also rock out with the best of them. The record industry is very hard on black performers who want to rock, much less female ones. Claudia should have been a superstar, but instead she only got to release one album, "Whew", and its a classic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCv0Pdxr-6Q&list=OLAK5uy_lxS7eruDUIp5Ta1C5cXTD6FwWyGXjeQJM" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCv0Pdxr-6Q&list=OLAK5uy_lxS7eruDUIp5Ta1C5cXTD6FwWyGXjeQJM  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 26 Nov 2020 at 5:31pm
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James Plunky Branch is a saxophonist who started his career leading the Afrocentric free jazz group, Juju. Over the next couple years Juju became Oneness of Juju with their musical direction leaning more towards fusion and funk jazz. When inexpensive home recording tools hit the market, James self-released a series of hit and miss RnB CDs under the names Plunky and Oneness, or just Plunky. When 2000 arrived, Plunky upped his game and started releasing well produced radio freindly RnB and smooth jazz. Over the years, his concerts, many of them in Europe, always displayed the history of his career, often leaning towards jazz funk jams, rather than his more commercial output. There is not one particular album that really best captures Plunky's talents, and that is why the compilation "Oneness of Juju - African Rhythms 1970-1982" is the best way to explore his music. This compilation does a great job of bringing out the best in this sometimes inconsistent artist. It doesn't hurt that some of the tracks are pulled from Plunky's work with African drummer Okyerema Asante on Asante's albums. Listen: https://onenessofjuju.bandcamp.com/album/african-rhythms-1970-1982" rel="nofollow - https://onenessofjuju.bandcamp.com/album/african-rhythms-1970-1982  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2020 at 9:55pm
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Les McCann "Layers" Les McCann is mostly know for his gospel flavored soul jazz, but in the early 70s he made some detours into the world of analog synthesizer drenched exotica and psychedelia.
Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/les-mccann/layers" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/les-mccann/layers Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUyRrA6vNJM&list=PLm7ogPYlDbGw3QGC76m1Gkxp1nSaY3IiV&index=8" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUyRrA6vNJM&list=PLm7ogPYlDbGw3QGC76m1Gkxp1nSaY3IiV&index=8  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2021 at 9:25pm
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One more from Les McCann's excursion into psychedelia is "Invitation to Openness". Yusef Lateef guests on this one and is apparently very influential as much of this record sounds like a Lateef outing. Reviews: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/les-mccann/invitation-to-openness" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/les-mccann/invitation-to-openness  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2021 at 2:49pm
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Cinevox has just released an amazing collection of Italian soundtrack music. Click on the link below and you will find nine lengthy samples of some of the tracks. https://www.soundohm.com/product/cinevox-tidbeats-4-lp-box" rel="nofollow - https://www.soundohm.com/product/cinevox-tidbeats-4-lp-box  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2021 at 4:39pm
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DJ Spooky and Dave Lombardo "Drums of Death" Clumsy attempts to weld hip-hop to metal produced some of the worst music ever in the 90s, the unlistenable limp bizkit for example. Thats why it may come as a surprise that this album that combines DJ Spooky with famed thrash drummer Dave Lombardo is way better than expected and then some. Dave supplies a variety of rhythms, but often with that enthusiastic 'metal overkill' that can be annoying in the wrong hands, but it works so perfectly and ironically at the same time on this one. DJ Spooky comes through with some of the best music of his career. It doesn't hurt that Chuck D guests on several tracks sounding as strong as ever. Gary Nestler, Vernon Reid and Jack Dangers guest on guitars. This album is an unlikely classic that a lot of people probably missed. Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA1TtCnTH_E&list=OLAK5uy_l9KAWgHgGAuA1PWcDiwbygkl56wAV6NRE" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wA1TtCnTH_E&list=OLAK5uy_l9KAWgHgGAuA1PWcDiwbygkl56wAV6NRE  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2021 at 7:35pm
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Recorded back in 1971, Marvin Gaye's instrumental "Funky Nation" is finally being released as a single album, and it was well worth the wait. These tracks are dyn-o-mite early 70s rare groove featuring all-star musicians such as Ray Parker Jr, Wah Wah Watson and Michael Henderson, before they went on to work with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis. Listen up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwhnYMTZ5ho" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwhnYMTZ5ho  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2021 at 5:54am
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Piano Conclave "Palais Anthology" We all know how the fusion fad ended up, with highly commercial recordings featuring bland predictable performances geared toward deriving cash from pop, rock and RnB fans, but that wasn't necessarily how it all started. Case in point, this recording ("Palais Anthology"), features high octane performances from no less than six of Europe's best fusion keyboardists supported by the ace rhythm section of Alphonse Mouzon and John Lee. The performances on here are crackling hot with bursting at the seams creative energy. The keyboardists gleefully plug into whatever electronic gizmos they can get their hands on as they apply their fiery bebop chops to stacks of new fangled keyboards. Early experimental fusion does not get much better than this.
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8py_bMm9iYA&list=OLAK5uy_mnjhTSYZhojFsKUUMLFRm4wpKmy7R1aGc" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8py_bMm9iYA&list=OLAK5uy_mnjhTSYZhojFsKUUMLFRm4wpKmy7R1aGc  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 14 Apr 2021 at 7:46pm
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A couple years after psychedelia hit the rock scene, it also hit the jazz scene. Not everything that came from that was good, and there are plenty of cheezy albums to attest to that, but one of the best albums to come from the psychedelic jazz scene was Herbie Mann's "Stone Flute". Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/herbie-mann/stone-flute" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/herbie-mann/stone-flute
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQfYfUKJKec&list=OLAK5uy_nBeN7HbbTZ0iI3eAAhrOGU3SucJ5KsBzQ" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQfYfUKJKec&list=OLAK5uy_nBeN7HbbTZ0iI3eAAhrOGU3SucJ5KsBzQ  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 31 May 2021 at 7:05pm
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"Chico Hamilton Trio: Introducing Freddie Gambrell" While a lot of this thread has centered around psychedelic RnB and exotica, we are going to take a look at a unique bop pianist who did not get near the recognition he deserved, Freddie Gambrell. You can read more about Freddie in the review posted below.
Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/chico-hamilton/chico-hamilton-trio-introducing-freddy-gambrell" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/chico-hamilton/chico-hamilton-trio-introducing-freddy-gambrell Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmbjuKDiOPk&list=PL0q2VleZJVEnJ3q3ouMeGKEx1bQieoDPN" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmbjuKDiOPk&list=PL0q2VleZJVEnJ3q3ouMeGKEx1bQieoDPN  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 26 Jun 2021 at 4:36pm
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Although Ayre Rayde was one of the top Go-Go bands in Washington DC, they left behind very few studio recordings, in fact, as far as I know, only one, "Sock it to Me", which also comes on a 4 track re-mix EP. Go-Go music in general rarely gets the sort of coverage that it should get and there are probably more missed recording opportunities of good music out there from where this track comes from. For those not familiar with Go-Go, its one of the most African influenced popular music styles born in the US, and most of the bands are in the Washington DC area. More about the band: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/artist/ayre-rayde" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/artist/ayre-rayde  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 17 Nov 2021 at 8:13pm
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Herbie Hancock (CTI) "In Concert Volume II" Don't be fooled by the names on the videos. Turrentine and Hubbard do appear on a few tracks on this album, but this is definitely a Herbie Hancock album. Okay, Herbie is hardly an obscure figure in the world of jazz, but how many of you have ever checked out this record. This album probably contains the most fierce and imaginative playing in Hancock's entire career, he is on fire on this one. The two listening cuts provided here are from the Chicago concert. They are intense, but the cuts from the Detroit concert are even better, unfortunately they are not on youtube yet. Just get the record and you can hear the whole thing. Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/herbie-hancock/in-concert-volume-2-stanley-turrentine-freddie-hubbard-jack-dejohnette-ron-carter-eric-gale%28live%29" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/herbie-hancock/in-concert-volume-2-stanley-turrentine-freddie-hubbard-jack-dejohnette-ron-carter-eric-gale(live)  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 04 May 2022 at 9:52pm
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Hadley Caliman "Iapetus" While Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis were releasing their psychedelic fusion opuses, the lesser known Hadley Caliman and Todd Cochran released this gem that holds up very well against the albums from the more famous Miles and Herbie.
The review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/hadley-caliman/iapetus" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/hadley-caliman/iapetus Listen: https://hadleycaliman.bandcamp.com/album/iapetus" rel="nofollow - https://hadleycaliman.bandcamp.com/album/iapetus  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 22 May 2022 at 11:31am
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Julian Priester "Love Love" When Julian Priester and Pat Gleeson, from Herbie Hancock's Sextet, put out their own psychedelic opus, they brought along the two main musicians from the above album, "Iapetus". Those two musicians were Hadley Caliman on woodwinds and Todd Cochran (Under his African name) on keyboards. This made the ensemble on "Love Love" sort of a psych fusion super group.
Review: http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/julian-priester/love-love%28live%29" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/julian-priester/love-love(live) Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_biJZfDk5c&list=RDb_biJZfDk5c&start_radio=1&rv=b_biJZfDk5c&t=106" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_biJZfDk5c&list=RDb_biJZfDk5c&start_radio=1&rv=b_biJZfDk5c&t=106  |
Posted By: Frampton
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2022 at 1:04pm
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Hear O Israel feat: Herbie Hancock. Hear, O Israel is the recorded version of a jazz concert
comprised of lyric and sacred material from the Friday night prayer
service in a Jewish synagogue. - Not so easy to find in the wild but re issues by Trunk a little while back. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2022 at 7:18pm
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Garrett Saracho "En Medio" The ongoing "jazz is Dead" series recently featured Garrett (Gary) Saracho on keyboards. Its been a long time since we heard from Saracho. His one album as leader, "En Medio", was released in 1973 and is an extravagant affair with a mix of Latin grooves, psychedelic fusion electronics, free jazz blowing and even some neo-classical interludes.
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Posted By: js
Date Posted: 03 Dec 2022 at 9:22am
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Who knew there was such a thing as a 'Led Zeppelin Suite'. Giovanni Falzone's clever and complex big band arrangements bring out some new possibilities in these otherwise worn out hard rock anthems. https://musicamorfosi.bandcamp.com/album/led-zeppelin-suite" rel="nofollow - https://musicamorfosi.bandcamp.com/album/led-zeppelin-suite  |
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2022 at 7:21pm
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Awesome, keen to check that out ------------- We are men of action. Lies do not become us. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews... |
Posted By: dreadpirateroberts
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2022 at 7:23pm
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Found this the other week (mostly) a trio working on Black Sabbath: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qcr708w1HY" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qcr708w1HY  ------------- We are men of action. Lies do not become us. http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/dreadpirateroberts%28member%29.aspx?reviews=all/" rel="nofollow - Reviews... |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 09 Dec 2022 at 7:56pm
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What a weird coincidence, I was just about to feature them on here as a follow up to the Led Zep post.
Anywho, here is the full Jazz Sabbath album: https://jazzsabbath.bandcamp.com/album/jazz-sabbath" rel="nofollow - https://jazzsabbath.bandcamp.com/album/jazz-sabbath  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 10 Jan 2023 at 8:59pm
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"The Night of the Purple Moon" is one of Sun Ra's more unique outings as it features him with a small group playing 60s lounge jazz in that way that only Sonny can. Review: https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/sun-ra/sun-ra-and-his-intergalactic-infinity-arkestra-the-night-of-the-purple-moon" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/sun-ra/sun-ra-and-his-intergalactic-infinity-arkestra-the-night-of-the-purple-moon Listen: https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-night-of-the-purple-moon" rel="nofollow - https://sunramusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-night-of-the-purple-moon  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 08 May 2023 at 9:18pm
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Getting back to the 70s psychedelic fusion, Charles Lloyd's "Geeta" is one of the better albums from that genre. Much of this is because of the stellar guest Indian musicians (some uncredited), the searing guitar work of Blackbyrd McKnight and Charles Llloyd's exquisite alto flute playing. Review: https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/charles-lloyd/geeta" rel="nofollow - http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/charles-lloyd/geeta  |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 06 Nov 2023 at 9:15pm
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Klaus Lenz "Fur Lenz" This one is for fans of obscure exotica, particularly exotica with a 60s psychedelic influence. Klaus Lenz was a German trumpet player known for his jazz rock ensembles and modern big bands, but his first album, released in 1970, was entirely different. Although this album was recorded in Germany, it has a strong vibe from swinging 60s London. Add on some Herb Alpert styled lead brass and you have something any crate digger would be happy to get their hands on. |
Posted By: js
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2024 at 8:37pm
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Much like the aforementioned Freddie Gambrell, Hasaan Ibn Ali was a post bop innovator and outsider who was almost never recorded. Review: https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/max-roach/the-max-roach-trio-featuring-the-legendary-hasaan" rel="nofollow - https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/max-roach/the-max-roach-trio-featuring-the-legendary-hasaan More about Hasaan: https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/artist/hasaan-ibn-ali" rel="nofollow - https://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/artist/hasaan-ibn-ali
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pYqbRGZXxE&list=OLAK5uy_la_1L0ECeFjnVGujLFjiLOhcNNgJ_g-mk&index=2" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pYqbRGZXxE&list=OLAK5uy_la_1L0ECeFjnVGujLFjiLOhcNNgJ_g-mk&index=2  |